Senior Governance Specialist Job #: req34851 Organization: World Bank Sector: Public Sector Development Grade: GG Term Duration:ย 4 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 12/1/2025 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC
Description
Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. Please visitย www.worldbank.org.
Building capable, effective, accountable, transparent, and inclusive institutions that deliver citizen-centric services, facilitate private-sector growth, and build trust in government is paramount for promoting shared prosperity. The world needs sound institutions and stable and responsive governance systems that can navigate and address the complex current challenges. Moreover, accountable and transparent governance promotes responsible resource management that invests and contributes to the creation of a sustainable and livable planet for current and future generations.
The Public Administration Global Unit in the World Bankโs Governance Practice comprises five global programs focused on thematic areas that are key to advancing effective, accountable, transparent, and inclusive institutions. Each program delivers activities in knowledge and innovation, data and analytics, operational work, as well as convening and partnership. These global programs are: (i) Improving Public Administration Performance, (ii) Justice and Rule of Law, (iii) GovTech and Public Sector Innovation, (iv) Anticorruption for Development, and (v) Coalitions for Reforms. Each program supports activities in knowledge and innovation, data and analytics, operational work, as well as convening and partnership. Financial support for these programs comes from the World Bank and the Governance and Institutions Umbrella Program (G&I) Multi-Donor Trust Fund.ย
Anticorruption for Development Global Programย
The WB is adopting a more integrative approach to tackling corruption, to better address the illicit financial flows generated by corruption as well as the persistent challenges that corruption presents to development outcomes in health, education, access to economic opportunities, and to the welfare of societies. To help close the financing gap, our support to building the capacity of clients in fighting corruption needs to be complemented with efforts to address the transnational enablers.ย The Global Program on Anticorruption for Development is mobilizing knowledge, data, tools and partnerships to enhance the Bank's impacts in the uses of data and technology, in reducing corruption in public procurement, strengthening accountability institutions and beneficial ownership transparency and in countering illicit financial flows. We are working with partners across the WBG, as well as a wide range of Global Partners outside the institution to better leverage the impact of Bank operations in fighting corruption and exploit the synergies across the Bank's functions. The Global Program is undertaking a series of activities to advance knowledge and generate actionable evidence for reform to strengthen the effectiveness of beneficial ownership reforms and better address the institutional vulnerabilities that contribute to illicit financial flows from corruption. This program includes a mix of new research activities, convening and collaborating with academic partners and international organizations, support to targeted country engagements, preparation and delivery of training curricula and publication of knowledge products.
Duties and Responsibilities
Under the Supervision of the Public Administration Unit Manager, the Global Lead on Anticorruption will be repsonisble for performing a number of tasks, as follows:
โข Lead the World Bankโs Anticorruption for Development Program (AC4D);โข Be responsible for the implementation of the AC4D Program, defining and leading specific program activities and producing high quality outputs in terms of its 4 main components: (i) Knowledge and Innovation; (ii) Data and Analytics; (iii) Operational Work; and (iv) Convening.โข Lead a group of colleagues working in the AC4D Program at the Global level, while closely coordinating activities with Regional colleagues;โข Closely monitor the Programโs budget and ensure the timely delivery of its activities;โข Provide support to country operations;โข Represent the World Bank in international fora;โข Mobilize additional resources for the expansion and sustainability of the Program;โข Lead the implementation and growth of the existing AC4D Global Partnership.
Selection Criteria
โข Minimum of masterโs degree with an emphasis on public administration, public policy, political science, economics, or a relevant discipline - and a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience.
โข Demonstrated expertise in the relevant policy frameworks and implementation approaches in Anticorruption; a deep knowledge of available tools with special emphasis on the 4 pillars of the World Bankโs anticorruption approach.ย
โข Superb program management skills, including on the coordination and development of staff; deinfition of work programs and budgets; superb monitoring of deliverables and expenditures; and communications sills.ย
โข Experience in supporting anticorruption reform in several WB client countries through analytical and operational engagements, across a diverse range of client countries and contexts.
โข Excellent data analytics and quantitative skills are a strong plus. A track record of working with data is a requirement.
โข Demonstrated ability to translate academic knowledge into operationalizable insight, and, conversely, in harvesting operational-level learning into policy-level learning products.ย
โข Proven ability in movilizing funding and establishing successful inter-institutional partnerships.
โข Excellent writing skills with demonstrated ability to lead and author evidence-based policy reports.
โข Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively in a team/task force as a participant or team leader and with senior officials internally and externally. Sensitivity to the Bank's diverse demographics and cross-cultural context and influences, and ability to build effective work relations with clients and colleagues.ย
โข Fluency in spoken and written English is required. Domain of additional languages is a strong plus
WBG Culture Attributes:
1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders.
2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact.
3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.
World Bank Group Core Competencies
The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.
We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.
Learn more about working at theย World Bankย andย IFC, including our values and inspiring stories.